A good "Timeline" for a PADI diver that is wanting to progress through the PADI system of diver educuation should be OW diver, next ASAP enroll in the AOW diver course, the next weekend if time and money permit. next enroll in a EFR course, the next weekend if time and money permit. next enroll in a Rescue diver course, should probably expect a few weeks to work on this course considering the amount of bookwork. IF at anytime money, time or any number of other reasons do not permit a diver from enrolling in these courses then I reccommend that the diver DIVE. As often as possible and in as many different environments and conditions as possible and consistent with the divers experience and training.
Not only should a diver NOT wait to move forward with their training, it actually goes against the entire concept of the PADI training system.
The single biggest problem many of you have with the "Advanced" course is what YOU think it implies.
I often see complaints that Divers are "hurried through" the system and then I'll read a complaint that the OW course isn't thoruogh enough. This ia a contradiction in itself.
The PADI system EXPECTS that student diver progressses through the training system without making additional dives. The training is where the student diver gains experience and under the tutalage(sic) of an instructor.
I once posted that a way to look at diver education and certification would be that the diver traning has been broken up into pieces so that 1) A person can get into diving without a long term commitment on the front side. 2) YES, marketing 3) and yes cost.
Although training shouldn't REPLACE experience, it should be the catalyst.
The way the system is designed a student diver could (and possibly should) take OW, AOW, EFR and Rescue diver, back to back so to speak AND THEN go out and start gaining experience on their own. The diver now has spent several weekends under the watchful eye of their instructor and should be more than capable of handling circumstances and minor emergencies as they occur.
To the original post- A training timeline is an excellent motivational and educational tool. Goal setting is a great idea. Just be sure to be willing to adjust the timeline as needed.-Merry Xmas-M